Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced (05-Jul-2018) the following initiatives and collaborations aimed at driving innovation, improving productivity, expanding airport infrastructural capacity and deepening the skills of aviation workers, in order to enhance the competitiveness of Singapore's aviation sector:
- CAAS will launch of third 'Aviation Challenge' focused on "Innovation for Seamless Ground Operations". The challenge will be designed to provide greater flexibility and encourage stronger collaboration between end users and technology providers. Increased funding of SGD9 million (USD6.6 million) will be allocated to support development and implementation of prototypes;
- CAAS and the Ministry of Transport will award up to SGD6 million (USD4.4 million) to four consortiums that submitted proposals to CAAS' unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) call for proposals in Nov-2017. The programme will involve the development and testing of working UAS prototypes and enables collaboration with industry players to trial drone operations;
- CAAS will add SGD120 million (USD87.9 million) to the aviation development fund;
- Singapore Seletar Airport's new passenger terminal will open by the end of 2018, increasing capacity by about four times to 700,000 passengers p/a;
- CAAS will continue to make investments in developing infrastructure at Singapore Changi Airport and upgrade air traffic management infrastructure;
- CAAS awarded the 'SkillsFuture' study award for air transport to 33 aviation professionals in 2018. 81 professionals have benefited from the award since 2016;
- The 'Skills Framework for Air Transport' will support career planning and development for aviation sector workers. SATS will launching the SATS Academy, aligning its programmes with the 'Skills Framework for Air Transport' to allow employees to receive nationally recognised certification;
- The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) developed a new Bachelor of Science in Air Transport Management, which is expected to strengthen the pipeline of skilled aviation professionals. SIT plans to take in 50 students for the first intake and classes will commence in 2019. [more - original PR]